In Zhu Youxiao's opinion, living near Confucius' hometown would mean that he would be well taken care of by the Kong family.
After all, in Confucius's thought, whether it was benevolence or teaching without distinction, it should have enabled those around him to have a good life, and even formed a cultural and educational center around Qufu. It was probably the place with the most scholars and the place where the national imperial examination was relatively prosperous.
But the reality is quite the opposite: the life of ordinary people in Shandong is very poor, and the scholars in Shandong are not that famous.
Confucius's idea of teaching without distinction had long been thrown aside by the Kong family. Moreover, the Kong family themselves were not very knowledgeable. If they were asked to study and take the imperial examinations, they would probably do worse than ordinary people.
The princes who did nothing but eat and work were considered parasites to the state, a point Zhu Youxiao also acknowledged.
But the Kong family also did nothing, doing the same things as the princes, and should also be considered as parasites of the country.
Even in Zhu Youxiao's view, the Yanshenggong Mansion was more harmful. The reason was simple: this family was used as a memorial tablet, and people listened to their words, while the words of the vassal kings were not necessarily listened to.
This time I came to Shandong for the Yanshenggong Mansion in front of me. If I want to make some progress in my thinking, I have to move this mountain away.
The next morning, Zhu Youxiao went to the northern city of Dezhou where the disaster victims were, brought the imperial edict to the victims, showed up, distributed the food he brought, issued an imperial edict for disaster relief, and told the victims that he, the emperor, was there and that officials would be left to watch over them.
If they had any grievances, or if local officials were ineffective in providing disaster relief, they could go to the officials left behind by the emperor to file a complaint, and those supervisory officials would tell them the matter.
The victims reacted enthusiastically, with constant calls of thanks.
However, Zhu Youxiao also knew that this was actually arranged long ago. The news of his arrival had been leaked yesterday, and the person who did this was Liu Mao, the governor of Dezhou.
In order to make the victims cheer sincerely, Liu Mao had the yamen runners carry a big gong and preach the emperor's policy to the victims several times. It can be said that he did his best.
So Zhu Youxiao was not surprised at all by this result.
Zhu Youxiao naturally said nothing about Liu Mao's actions, and he didn't dislike them from the bottom of his heart. The reason was simple: this was promoting himself as the emperor and his own policies, which was a good thing.
It was impossible for Zhu Youxiao to go out and publicize himself, let alone go among the victims, so he could only use this method.
In this age without media coverage, in this age when ordinary people are not very literate, this is the best way.
Zhu Youxiao believed that the news would spread quickly. After all, many scholars came and wrote many flattering articles to Zhu Youxiao.
At the same time, the gentry of Texas also came and donated some food and supplies to flatter the emperor and show off the culture and education of Texas.
Zhu Youxiao still affirmed the behavior of these people, of course, that was all.
After finishing these things, Zhu Youxiao boarded the boat and continued his journey south.
This time, Zhu Youxiao's target was Jeju Prefecture, which was also the center of the earthquake.
Jining Prefecture is named after the Ji River. Jining means the tranquility of the Ji River.
Chaozong has not yet reached the sea, and he cannot rest after a thousand miles.
Only Qingji will last forever.
This poem describes the Ji River. After the construction of the Grand Canal, Jizhou Prefecture experienced great development and became a key point for north-south shipping.
After the Northern Song Dynasty, the Ji River became unobstructed and water transport flourished. Jizhou, located in Juye, became one of the most developed cities in the east-west route of Beijing.
The Jizhou mentioned in Shi Naian's "Water Margin" is today's Juye County. With its crisscrossing inlets, lush lotus and reeds, and merging water and sky, Daye Lake, with its strategic terrain, has always been a gathering place for peasant uprisings.
Zhu Youxiao stood on the bow of the boat, looking at the water on both sides of the river, but his mood became solemn. He no longer had the leisure he had when he left Beijing, nor the urgency he had when he was in Dezhou.
If you decide to do something, you must do it.
Xu Guangqi came up behind Zhu Youxiao and said softly, "Your Majesty, the weather is getting cold. Should we go into the cabin? Don't catch a cold."
Xu Guangqi really cared about and was worried about Zhu Youxiao's health. If His Majesty had any health problems this time, then he would really have no way to help.
Although the court seems stable now, that is because Your Majesty is in charge. If anything happens to Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty will be in chaos.
Zhu Youxiao glanced back at Xu Guangqi, but instead of answering him, he smiled and asked, "During the day, you seemed to have something to say, but because there were so many people around, you kept it to yourself. Now that there's no one else around, feel free to speak up if you have anything to say."
"Your Majesty, Shandong has suffered a devastating disaster and the people have been displaced. I have seen it with my own eyes and feel pain in my heart. Your Majesty loves the people like your own children and has taken appropriate disaster relief measures. This is truly a blessing for the world and the people!" Xu Guangqi hurriedly bowed and said, his tone sincere and his emotion warm.
Zhu Youxiao turned around and glanced at him, then said unhappily, "When you first met me, you told me a lot of the truth, but I never saw you flatter me like this. How come after being together for so long, you suddenly like to flatter me?"
"Everything I said is from my heart and it is the truth." Xu Guangqi said with a serious face.
"Okay, let's skip this step and tell us what you really want to say." Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi and said, "There's no need for us, the emperor and his subjects, to beat around the bush."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi quickly agreed respectfully.
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